Gun suggestions for a co-worker

[Waco1959]

A co-worker is looking for a handgun to be used for concealed carry but she has a number of limitations.

1. She is very petite so it would be difficult to conceal a large gun. After talking and looking at a few I think something like the Taurus 709 Slim size is the upper limit of what she would try to carry.

2. Small hands, an odd grip due to arthritis and surgeries, and a narrow web so a slim, fairly upright grip is preferred.

3. Limited strength in her trigger finger so heavier DA pull is out.

She has been on a couple of range trips with different folks from the office and is pretty good shot even with larger handguns (1911, double stack 9mm) but has to adjust her grip after 1 or 2 rounds fired. The grips on these larger guns are also just not comfortable for her to hold and shoot so they would limit her practice. She was accurate with both a Ruger 22 MK II and Ruger SP101 .38 (?, not mine) but had trouble with the grip angle on the .22 and could barely cock the .38.

Anyway, I'm trying to arrange another visit to the range and some different guns for her to try. Maybe someone can suggest something that I can see if we can rent or line up. What we have lined up so far (looking for hand fit over caliber right now):

Taurus TCP and 709 Slim
Bersa Thunder .380
S&W Bodyguard .380
PPK/S .22
Ruger LCP
Kel-Tec P3AT

Any suggestions are appreciated.

[rotor]

S&W bodyguard .380 has a very heavy trigger pull. I don't care for Taurus. Have you thought about a revolver?

[TheDude]

Would a S&W shield be too big? I think it's about the same size as the Taurus 709 slim and has a much better trigger than the Bodyguard. How about the glock 42?

could barely cock the .38.

Just curious as to why she was cocking it? She would use it in DA for self defense. I am guessing because of the heavy Trigger pull. Most small revolvers are hard to shoot well anyway.

[Scott B.]

What about a Sig P238? It is an easy gun to shoot if she'd be comfortable carrying with the hammer back and safety on. Has the 1911 style grip ergonomics in an easy to handle size.

[Vol Texan]

My wife loves the PK380 from Walther. Big gun feel and ergonomics on a small gun frame.

[G.A. Heath]

What about a Sig P238? It is an easy gun to shoot if she'd be comfortable carrying with the hammer back and safety on. Has the 1911 style grip ergonomics in an easy to handle size.

This or the Sig P938 which is the same gun only a little larger so that it can be chambered in 9mm instead of .380. If she is having to cock the hammer on a firearm in order to shoot it then she needs to move to a different weapon. 1911 style firearms like the P238 and P938 are carried cocked and locked so she might be uncomfortable with them until she get some experience, however this is done through practice and practice is needed for experience level.

If I were forced to carry a .380 my first choice would be the Sig P238, and my second would be the Glock 42. I prefer the Sig P938 as a pocket gun and a midsized 1911 with an alloy frame for IWB. Every gun I mentioned in this post is in my safe and I would not hesitate to recommend any of them.

One more option to consider is that some 1911 manufacturers off a "small hands" package that features a shorter length of pull (from the back of the grip to the front of the trigger), which is done by using a shorter trigger. These packages also feature slimmer grips and a flat backstrap. The thing to remember is that the trigger on the 1911 is about as easy as they get, even when you have a poor example. A good 1911 with a 3 1/2 inch barrel and small hands package in a Crossbreed Supertuck deluxe with the bottom of the leather cut so that it is concave like the minituck is what a friend with a similar condition carries. She modified the leather because it fits her hip better this way. She does wear looser fitting garments now, but wears jeans and skirts equally well. The secret to that is she wears a good gun belt. BTW, she is 5' 1/2" wearing a 1 inch heel and she has no noticeable fat.

[WinoVeritas]

The Taurus 709 is an excellent carry. I have the 709 & 740. Taurus Millennium PT111G2 is another good option in double stack. M&P Shield or M&P9C also good options. Only problem with Taurus Slims is the current lack of spare mags - feast or famine - so if considered get one that has two magazines (stay away from the -FS as it's one mag).

[RPBrown]

If she has arthritis in her hands, the KelTec P3AT probably would not be a good choice. It has a very snappy recoil and can cause some pain to even healthy hands.

You might have her try the Sig P238. Not sure about the grip size though as I dont own one

[johncanfield]

..You might have her try the Sig P238. Not sure about the grip size though as I dont own one

Yes.

Dear wife carries a P238 and has zero problems with the grip and the slide is very easy for her to rack and easy to shoot.

[Seabear]

I'm not a fan of small calibers, however with what sounds like multiple limitations and requirements, she might look at a Beretta Bobcat... http://www.beretta.com/en-us/21-a-bobcat/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Not much punch, but better than nothing. Also solves several problems with her limitations.

[LDB415]

Have you considered the Springfield Armory XD-S and Glock 42?

[VMI77]

I second the P938. I can carry that gun anywhere, IWB, OWB, pocket, or ankle holster. I greatly prefer it to the LCP, and I even like it better than the XDs.

[ripnbst]

S&W Shield 9mm. Or, Bodyguard .380. I'd really want her to have something in 9mm though. Dont forget the Kahr pistols. They are basically designed with women in mind.

As her friend, were it me, I couldn't recommend a Taurus product she may one day have to stake her life on.

[cheezit]

Kimber solo, the sigs that have been spoken of, the smaller taurus hand guns, early j frames had great triggers too.

[Waco1959]

Thanks for all the suggestions and information and it brings up some questions and comments:

She has tried handling/dry firing several of the small revolvers (S&W J, Charter Arms) and they just don't seem to work for her. I think it has to due with fused bones and hand shape.

I'll need to see if any of the local ranges rent some of the suggestions so she can try them out. I'm not personally familiar with the smaller Sigs, smaller 1911s, or the Kimbers so I will see if there is somewhere she can at least check the grip. Same for the Glock 42 and XD.

She will be able to fire all the guns on my original list so we will see what fits and what she can use comfortably and go forward from there.

BTW, the 709 Slim is my EDC so I would recommend it. Different strokes and all that.

Jeff